The Temple of the Exploding Head

There are a number of legendary objects floating around the League and Xaphan space, however, none are more sacred and potent as the objects known as the Noabs. The Noabs are 25 objects pertaining to or collected from the 25 departed Elders, one object for each Elder. All of the Noabs are currently in the possession of the Sisterhood of Light in their stronghold of Westron in western Vithland. Many of the great Noabs are not known to the general populace of the League.

The Paramel is an exception. It is one of the few Noabs that is well-known outside of the Sisterhood. Appearing as a brass and gold lantern hanging on a long golden chain, the Paramel is a Noab from the Elder Va. The Sisterhood of Light once interrogated prisoners with it in Twilight 4. They also carried it before them into battle, mainly against the Black Hats, who were afraid of its light. When the Elders grew sick and died, the Paramel went out of control and glowed as bright as a star in the Kanan sky for many years until the Sisters managed to bend it to their will and tame it. The Xaphans sought to claim the Paramel and the classic Battle of Ebron was fought over it, with the League being victorious and the Sisters reclaiming it.

The attributes of the Paramel are in dispute outside of the Sisterhood of Light, though it is generally acknowledged by those learned in its lore that it is very powerful and not to be trifled with.

It is said to be quite dangerous to be in close proximity to, as it actively vetted any who came near it, and those who fail its test are killed immediately. It can cast light far into the future or the distant past. It can bridge gaps of time and space and illuminate one’s fate. As a source of endless power, the Paramel has no peer. It can cast light across various realms of reality and throw aside illusions.

The Paramel has, at various times, displayed a cantankerous, wandering nature. It has escaped from the Sisterhood in the past, moving on its own like a living thing and “hid” in plain sight hanging like an ordinary lantern on Goddown Street in the city of Saga. It powered the Lighthouse of Tuk for several years and lit the Hall of Ethers in Alderveryl Convent. On those select occasions when the Paramel does escape, the Sisters relentlessly pursue it, though it sometimes takes them years to catch back up with the artifact. Any caught in possession of the Paramel are punished by the Sisters, though the Paramel itself has intervened on their behalf in the past, sparing innocent people the Sisters’ wrath.

copyright 2012, Ren Garcia, Carol Phillips and Eve Ventrue